By David C. Olson

The Minnesota Chamber protected the interests of the statewide business community on several fronts in the 2009 Legislature. Our successes ranged from defeating numerous tax proposals to strengthening the charter school law, from stopping additional burdensome health care and sick leave mandates to laying the groundwork for streamlining the environmental permitting process.
Our singular focus is to ensure that Minnesota businesses can compete in today's challenging global economy.
Victories on both "offense" and "defense" were noteworthy given the projected multibillion shortfall in the state's general fund in the midst of a national recession. Our successes would not have been possible without the efforts of our statewide Chamber Federation which advanced its priorities at the Capitol.
The dynamics of the legislative session changed dramatically in its final days when Governor Tim Pawlenty announced there would be no special session and no government shutdown That was good news for the Minnesota business community - and, indeed, for all Minnesotans.
All session long, the governor was consistent in his resistance to raise taxes on Minnesotans, especially as the state looks to create jobs and recover from the economic recession. Yet the DFL majorities in the Legislature were unwavering in proposing tax increases right up to the final minutes of the session.
Many of the proposals would have fallen disproportionately on businesses. Proposals included an increase in the statewide property tax, elimination of the foreign royalty deduction and foreign operating corporation provision of the corporate income tax, a new tax on interest income, and a new fourth bracket and across-the-board increases in personal income taxes.
We don't dismiss the difficulty that policy-makers face in this challenging economy. To be certain, everyone will feel the impact as the state budget is balanced through the governor's unallotments. But it's imperative to take immediate steps to slow the growth in spending if we are to avoid future financial crises.
We cannot rest on our legislative scorecard, however, as we anticipate continued pressure to raise taxes in 2010. Our real work is just beginning. The debates at the Capitol underscore our challenge.
In the short term, we must work with the governor to minimize the impact of his unallotments, especially as they relate to hospitals and other health care providers. Health and human services demands our attention in the long term as well. We need to figure out a way to deliver quality programs and services without breaking the state budget.
On the local government front, we hear far too many complaints that reduced Local Government Aid will result in cutting police or raising local property taxes. Some cities already have taken the initiative to reduce costs by announcing reorganizations or soliciting citizens' ideas. More local governments must follow suit.
Minnesota's reputation for its quality health care, education or transportation infrastructure need not - will not - be sacrificed because we failed to raise taxes on employers and their employees in the middle of the nation's biggest recession since the Great Depression. The strategies and solutions will take hard work, and we are up to the challenge.
Rest assured, we appreciate the support of the statewide business community, especially during these difficult economic times. We are honored to represent your interests at the Capitol.
David Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit the Web at www.mnchamber.com.